PDB8: FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH PRESCRIPTION CLAIMS FOR BLOOD GLUCOSE TEST STRIPS AMONG FEE-FOR-SERVICE NEW MEXICO MEDICAID PATIENTS

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Continuous blood glucose monitoring which requires the use of blood glucose test strips (BGTS) is essential for diabetes management. The objective of this study was to identify predictors of claims for BGTS submitted to the New Mexico Medicaid fee-for-service (NMMFFS) program. METHODS: Patients with prescription claims for insulin or oral diabetic medications between December 1, 1999 and November 30, 2000 were identified from the NMMFFS claims database. It was determined if these patients had claims for BGTS. Information on demographic predictors including age, gender, race/ethnicity, insulin use, and area of residence (rural, urban, intermediate) were extracted. A forward stepwise logistic regression analysis using the likelihood-ratio (LR) test, was performed to identify significant predictors of claims for BGTS. RESULTS: A total of 5636 diabetic patients, mean age 65.93 (SD = 17.25), were identified. Of these, 38.6% (n = 2178) had claims for BGTS. About 70% (n = 3974) were female, 45.1% (n = 2543) had claims for insulin, and 38.8% (n = 2185) resided in an urban area. Additionally, there were 42.7% (n = 2408) non-Hispanic whites, 30.8% (n = 1738) Hispanics, and 9.2% (n = 519) American Indians. The logistic regression results indicated that younger patients (OR = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.97–0.98) and patients with claims for insulin (OR = 1.88, 95%CI = 1.68–2.11) were more likely to have claims for BGTS. However, males (OR = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.56–0.73), patients who lived in intermediate areas (OR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.65–0.83), non-Hispanic whites (OR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.67–0.91), Hispanics (OR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.53–0.75) and American Indians (OR = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.32–0.51) were all less likely to have claims for BGTS. CONCLUSIONS: Elderly patients who are female, non-insulin users, non-Hispanic white, Hispanic or American Indian and live in intermediate areas are less likely to have claims for strips. Therefore, educational interventions are needed to increase claims for BGTS in these patients, thus improving blood glucose monitoring.